Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Iddie Adams has dismissed claims that Ghana supplied broken vaulting poles at the recent African Athletics Championships. He stated on May 18 that athletes competing in the pole vault event used their own equipment. These poles were not provided by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
Mr Adams explained that it is standard international practice for athletes to bring their own pole vaulting poles. The LOC is responsible for facilities like the landing area and crossbar. Athletes supply their own poles, which technical officials then certify. Some of these athlete-owned poles broke during the competition, leading to public misunderstanding. The South African team, for example, paid a deposit to temporarily import their vaulting poles.
This clarification comes amid discussions about event organisation and expenditure for sporting events in Ghana. The African Athletics Championships are a significant regional sporting showcase. Ensuring participants have reliable equipment is crucial for fair competition. Past issues with event logistics and financing have sometimes drawn public scrutiny. For instance, a separate report indicated the police could not justify a GH₵35.8 million bill for the 2023 African Games.
Mr Adams urged the public to disregard claims that the broken poles belonged to the organisers. He specifically rejected any reports suggesting an LOC official confirmed the equipment was supplied by Ghana. He clarified that Ghana Athletics Association Vice-President Charles Osei Asibey initially made an inaccurate statement but later corrected it. Mr Asibey had initially stated athletes could not bring their own poles, a comment he retracted.
The minister reiterated that athletes in technical events like javelin and pole vault customarily use their own equipment. This practice is globally recognised. The focus now returns to ensuring future events run smoothly and all equipment standards are met. Reliable equipment contributes to the overall success and credibility of international sporting events hosted in Ghana.